If any of you follow Susie Dent on twitter, you might have seen a great post the other day: “Word of the day is ‘gadwaddick’: old Norfolk dialect for going on a jaunt or a head-clearing pootle.”
I’m feeling totally fed up with my cold and still not in a fit state to run. My head needs clearing. Gadwaddick it is! I decide on a 3km familiar route, up and down a hill. I take my coffee cup with me for a treat on the way back. My voice is AWOL. Let’s hope the shop lady knows some BSL!
My trail trainers seem a good choice. It’s not trail terrain but after a blister, I’m keen to wear them in. Podcast loaded and off I go.
As I walk past the village primary, I spot a friend and her nursery class in the playground. I wave hello but have to point at my throat and make a sad face when they try to chat to me! Right up the hill. It feels tough and I’m puffing a little. I decide to take a few photos to catch my breath. I can see the sky looks particularly blue today. A flock of little birds takes refuge in a hedge after being seemingly chased by a magpie. I can hear them chattering to each other and it seems the hedge is talking.
A bin lorry comes down the hill and I have to squeeze against a hedge. It doesn’t slow down as much as I’d have liked and I’m pleased to escape without being bumped.
At the top of the hill, I spot a runner making his way up the downhill stretch I’m about to cover. I’ve done that run before and it’s tough. As I walk to pass him, I decide to give him an extra big nod of acknowledgment of the effort. He nods and smiles back.
Coming down the hill, I can hear a bird singing loudly nearby. As I look up, I spot a happy looking robin. He’s in fine voice and a bit of a show off. Usually they’re gone before I get my phone out. This one sits and sings, close enough that I can see his beak open and close.
Carrying on down the hill, I can see the blacksmith’s van waiting for me to pass before driving up. I break into a little jog (no sports bra, wearing jeans, carrying a cross body handbag!). It feels ok. Maybe in a day or two I can run. Passing the van, I’m soon at the shop. Luckily I’m there enough that they know I’m wanting coffee! Back home for lunch and a well earned rest. A really nice walk.
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MissUnderstanding
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Gadwaddick, that's a new word for me MissUnderstanding, you also have a great username, sorry about your persistent cold, you did the correct thing by going a nice walk in the countryside near to where you live, great tonic, lovely to hear the birds singing, a true sign of spring although winter isn't over yet, let's hope that darned cold goes soon.
This morning I ran my 141st (not) parkrun in a time of 35:29, once again the final 1K split was the fastest at 6:25 m/km, the slowest split being the 4th at 7:39m/km, I did see 4 other runners, the first just before I began my run, the second and third during the run, running the opposite direction and the fourth running past me when walking home after my run, all in all a nice mid-week run for me.
Thanks Alan! I enjoy Susie Dent’s feed very much-she always finds the most interesting of words. This one seemed particularly relevant for this board! The birds really did cheer me up.
Congratulations on yet another great (not)parkrun. You’ve made quite a habit of it!
That a big word to remember gadwaddick, must remember to say to Mr D I’m going gadwaddick. Great picture of the robin. Our resident robin i think away to the angels not seen for a while, he came for porridge every morning. Yes a walk does your head especially since temperature dropped here as well . You seem to be itching to get running again but your body will know. Great photo
Aw, sad to hear your robin has passed on. I’ve got one that keeps me company in the garden. It’s lovely how interested in everything they seem to be and to feel like you’ve got a little friend who pops round to visit.
Still feeling rotten but I’m trying to be patient and enjoy the other things I’m doing while I can’t run.
Thanks! It’s been a really up and down one this one. I don’t know what’s going on with the bugs this year but a lot of people seem to be struggling. Hopefully it won’t be too long before it’s gone. I’m planning to go for a walk and coffee while mg lovely cleaner is here and then come back and have a bath in the sparkly clean bathroom! Will be playing with panorama after seeing your post!
It really was lovely to be out and about. The birds were amazingly loud. I love this time of year when everything is springing into action. Hopefully today there’ll be another gadwaddick around a local lake. There’s a new coffee shop opened up which I think needs reviewing!
Hello Miss Understanding, I like everyone else wishes you a speedy recovery.
I don’t follow Susie Dent on Twitter but I do watch her on Countdown on TV. She is a very good wordsmith and I love that word that everyone on this platform is talking about.
Near to where I live there is a park, and anyone who has a dog takes their canine companions for the exercise. I don’t have a dog so I walk someone else’s twice a week and try at least to walk for 20 minutes around my local area.
Well done you for making the effort to go outside dispite your cold. That actually encourages me to get outside a bit more, thinking, ‘well if Miss Understanding can do it, then so can I.’
Thank you! There are green shoots. Still no voice but I feel a bit generally brighter. I find that if I’m well enough for a short and gentle walk, the benefits to my mental state are massive. Nothing too long or strenuous, just a little wander about enjoying some fresh air. Hope you can enjoy some mood boosting outside time too! Your reply really cheered me up ❤️
I love Susie Dent’s words of the day. I do tend to forget them as soon as I’ve read them though so well done you for finding a way to share it and remind me!
She’s so great isn’t she! I love how she often makes it relevant to what’s going on in the news. A gentle snark at some of the people behaving badly. I think if we met in real life, she’d be a gear person to have a coffee with!
Thanks so much! It’s surprising how hard taking it easy is-much easier to go out and push myself round a long run or some sprinty intervals than to rest! Will definitely get there I’m sure.
Get well soon to Mr L. It’s so demoralising when these bugs just won’t go!
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Just 5000 steps last night (+ of course other incidentals) 🙂
Maybe daft!